MPs and their guests are drinking too much. Action is now being taken to cut down on parliamentary consumption. That is the message from the House of Commons Commission, the body that runs the facilities of the Commons.

The Commission, chaired by John Bercow, the Speaker, met last night.

A statement of its conclusions has just been issued. Here is an extract:

Alcohol policy

The Commission takes its responsibility for the welfare of those who work on the Commons Estate very seriously. Following careful consideration of the issues around alcohol consumption it agreed the following actions to promote responsible alcohol use:

· a wider range of non-alcoholic drinks and lower strength beers will be provided in catering outlets

· staff serving alcohol would receive further training and support in refusing to serve customers when necessary

· at receptions and events where alcohol was served, glasses would be topped up less frequently

· further promotion of the support available to Members and House staff by the occupational health service and the Speaker's Chaplain

· consultation to take place with the Administration Committee, the House of Lords and the Sports and Social club on the opening hours of bars on the Parliamentary Estate

On pricing, the Commission noted that significant price increases had occurred in recent years and that bar prices were now comparable to high street pubs.

Will this be enough to end the boozing culture of the Commons, which so annoys voters and has led to scandals including the conviction of Eric Joyce? And will it be enough to placate critics who believe MPs are getting tanked up on our taxes? I have my doubts on both fronts. But it suggests that after many years of turning a blind eye to the boozing, the Commons authorities are at least starting to think about the issue.

It also suggests that – not for the first time – that Mr Bercow attaches greater importance to responding to (poor) public perceptions of Parliament than to the continued merriness of its denizens.